Sale Improves Hartco’s Outlook

Article Excerpt

HARTCO INCOME FUND $4.80 (Toronto symbol HCI.UN; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Units outstanding: 13.6 million; Market cap: $47.6 million; SI Rating: Extra risk) lost $0.05 a unit in the first quarter of 2007, mostly due to losses at its CompuSmart retail stores. It earned $0.03 a year earlier. Revenue fell 2.1%, to $151.6 million from $154.8 million. Hartco now plans to sell the CompuSmart stores, which provide 25% of its revenue. CompuSmart faces strong competition from big electronic chains, as well as from online retailers. Getting out of the retail business will let Hartco focus on providing computers and services directly to businesses. This move should help Hartco maintain its monthly distributions of $0.05 a unit (12.5% yield). Hartco is a hold for aggressive investors only. only…